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Ruud, defense plan to step up, help snap skid

Staff photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Barrett Ruud and the Bucs defense have had plenty of frustrating afternoons this season.

By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: November 6, 2009

Updated: 11/06/2009 01:45 am

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TAMPA - Two days after Raheem Morris tried to take some pressure off Tampa Bay's battered defense, middle linebacker Barrett Ruud responded.

Thanks, but no thanks.

On Tuesday, Morris said he challenged the Buccaneers offense to step up, saying, "They have to be the lifeline right now a little bit and I'm asking them to be."

When Tampa Bay's leading tackler was informed of those comments, Ruud took it personally.

"I definitely don't want to be known as a defense that somebody has to pick up the slack for," said Ruud. "Right now, we're 0-7 and we haven't done our part by any means. But I still have the belief that if your offense doesn't turn the ball over and gives you a few scores, you've got to find a way to win the game. If it's 20-17 and we lose ... that's on us."

Opponents are averaging 29 points per game against the Bucs, who face a Green Bay attack led by Aaron Rodgers, the NFL's top-rated passer.

"We can't mope about our 0-7 start," said second-year cornerback Aqib Talib, who has half of Tampa Bay's eight interceptions. "We're grown men. Of course we're mad, but all we can do about it is get better. There's enough talent in this room to win, but we haven't put it all together so far."

Rodgers has been sacked an NFL-high 31 times, but he has thrown only two picks and he hardly lacks mobility, adding 188 yards on the ground.

Green Bay's young offensive line could get a boost Sunday with the potential return of veteran left tackle Chad Clifton, who has missed four games with ankle injuries.

"Rodgers is a very talented quarterback with a strong arm," Ruud said. "He's taking a lot of sacks, but he doesn't turn the ball over very much and he makes good decisions. I still remember a pass he made against us last year, hitting a deep out while throwing across the field. That's the kind of throw where you just go, 'Wow.'"

Perhaps the sight of Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon being inducted into the new Buccaneers Ring of Honor on Sunday will inspire a struggling unit.

"That's going to be wonderful," Talib said of the throwback theme planned for Raymond James Stadium. "We're going to come out and dress up, honor Lee Roy and hopefully come out with a win for him."

After seven disappointing Sundays in 2009, Ruud is eager to snap Tampa Bay's 11-game losing streak.

"I think Raheem challenged the whole team," he said. "We've always been known as a defensive-minded team, and that's still the approach I take. I think if the offense gets 14 or 17 points, it's on us to win the game. I don't think that necessarily means our offense has to rise above what they're capable of. I'm still under the impression that, as a defense, if we give up more than 17 points, we didn't do our job."

Morris said the Bucs were quite spirited in practice this week, coming off a trip to London and a bye.

Ruud said the club's renewed energy level is no coincidence.

"When you look at your schedule at the beginning of the year, whenever you have a late bye week it's always good," Ruud said. "When you have a bye in Week 3, it's like, who needs it? By Week 7 or 8, your body needs it and really, your mind needs it, too. I think everyone's pretty refreshed."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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